Improving pedestrian safety in Kenner: An editorial

Hundreds of pedestrians move daily along a busy section of Williams Boulevard near Interstate 10 in Kenner, and they must often feel as if they are trapped in a reality television challenge.

Pedestrians have to walk on the shoulder next to speeding cars or dodge vehicles to cross some of the city's busiest intersections as well as Interstate 10 entrance and exit ramps -- all without the aid of sidewalks or crosswalks.

"It's scary," said transportation consultant Sharon Leader of crossing four to six lanes of traffic there. "You have to run across. We see people with baby strollers and seniors who are walking slowly."

That's why it's welcome news that city officials are preparing to make improvements along Williams between 32nd Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Using $470,000 in federal funds, officials plan changes that include a lighted pedestrian path underneath I-10.

They also are proposing a mid-block pedestrian crossing on Veterans, where an average of 33 pedestrians try to cross every hour. State transportation officials, who are reviewing the proposal, need to do all they can to reduce the risks faced by pedestrians.